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New York state legislators disclose details of day jobs as lawyers, funeral directors, insurance agents

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Assemblyman Gary Finch, Assemblyman Will Barclay, Senator Dave Valesky, and Senator John DeFrancisco in March at the Central New York School Board Association’s annual legislative breakfast.
(By David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com)

There are still enough holes in the information to protect, for example, the legislators' primary and secondary residences, their long-time clients and the amount their mortgages and student loans have set them back. But there is enough information to get a general idea about the lifestyles and connections legislators make outside their jobs in Albany.

For example, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, is an attorney with the New York City firm Weitz & Luxenberg, reporting an annual salary between $350,000 and $450,000. He did not list clients. He has a notary license.

Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos is a lawyer for the Ruskin, Moscou, Faltischek firm in Uniondale. He practices in the areas of real estate, civil litigation, corporate law and health care. He reported a salary between $150,000 and $250,000.

Closer to home, Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, is a lawyer for the DeFrancisco & Falgiatano law firm in Syracuse. He listed an income range between $150,000 and $250,000 for the law firm. He did not list any clients. His wife Linda also collects rent on the Water Street building she owns, which is home to the law firm, of between $20,000 and $50,000.

In addition to their home and the Water Street building, the DeFranciscos reported owning a condo in Albany and unimproved land in Florida - each worth between $100,000 and $150,000.

Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, does not have an outside job. Valesky is paid between $1,000 and $5,000 a year to play music in church on Sunday. His wife Julie is a teacher in the Oneida City School District.

In the past, legislators filed reports of outside income, but the amounts were blacked out for the public and available only upon request. This year, as part of the Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011, they must put a value on outside income, real estate holdings, and stocks and bonds for legislators and their spouses.

Legislators must name new clients from whom they receive $10,000 or more and for whom they provide services in matters before the state. Legislators also must disclose any gifts or reimbursements for travel outside of campaign activities.

The commission collected about 20,000 financial disclosure statements from state officers and employees in policy-making positions who make more than $88,256 a year and political party chairmen in the largest counties. Those forms are available upon request.

Here are some details about other Central New York representatives in Albany:

Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, is a lawyer with the Harris Beach firm in Pittsford. He listed his salary range as $100,000 to $150,000. He is also on the First Niagara Bank Advisory Board with an income of $1,000 to $5,000.

Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, is a vice president and attorney at the Scolaro, Shulman, Cohen, Fetter & Burstein firm and a minority partner in the Go Orange Realty Partnership, which is a minority partner in 90 Presidential Plaza Associates, which leases to the SUNY Health Science Center. He listed his salary range for the law firm as between $20,000 and $50,000. Go Orange brings in between $5,000 and $20,000 a year as does renting a condo in the Adirondacks.

Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, is an auctioneer, sells real estate and owns apartments. He put his salary in the range of $20,000 to $50,000 for his auction business; $5,000 to $20,000 for commission on real estate and $20,000 to $50,000 for the apartments.

Assemblyman Sam Roberts, D-Syracuse, has a pension from General Motors worth between $20,000 and $50,000 a year. He has rental income in the range of $5,000 to $20,000 and his wife Leonna owns a hair salon.

Assemblyman Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, is a partner in the Hiscock and Barclay law firm, where he put his salary between $50,000 and $75,000. He also has income from QMP Enterprises, Pathfinder Bank, Countryway Insurance, where he is a director. His wife works for Pulaski Academy and Central School.

Assemblyman Al Stirpe, D-North Syracuse, listed income from a job in business development for Tag Home Performance, where he said he sold products and services to improve energy use in homes and businesses. He listed his income between $1,000 and $5,000.
Assemblyman Gary Finch, R-Springport, is chief executive officer of three funeral homes and a director at Cayuga Lake National Bank. He reported a salary of $350,000 to $450,000.